Govt negligence on safety of bridges risks lives: AAP
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday accused the BJP government in the state of risking lives of the people with negligence towards dilapidated bridges.
Citing the recent collapse of Ranipokhri bridge connecting Rishikesh and Dehradun, the AAP alleged that the BJP is focusing on “strengthening booths but not on improving the road infrastructure.”
“What happened in Ranipokhri bridge was a result of negligence towards ensuring the safety of the bridge,” party’s state spokesperson Naveen Pirshali told reporters.
“The bridge collapsed in heavy rains due to illegal mining around it. This was even testified by the local villagers who were fed up with the constant noise from the movement of the earthmoving machines and heavy load trucks involved in illegal mining,” Pirshali said, alleging that the government didn’t take any action because “the relatives of leaders were involved in it.”
“It was also found that in December last year, the government carried out works worth ₹40 lakh to make the base and pillars of the bridge strong. But the contractors involved in the work had used minerals mined illegally just 50m away from the bridge. The forest department had then imposed a fine of ₹20,000 and ₹30,000 on two contractors for the same, but the PWD department didn’t blacklist them and the result is before everyone today.”
Pirshali said the probe ordered by PWD minister Satpal Maharaj into the incident has not started yet. “It shows how serious the government is on the issue.”
The AAP leader said 32 bridges have been damaged in the state in the last five years.
A probe has been ordered... strict action will be taken against those responsible for it. The state government is taking all necessary steps to repair the bridges in the state SATPAL MAHARAJ, PWD minister
“In an effort to expose the government, we are asking people of the state to share videos and selfies with bridges in a dilapidated condition under hashtag campaign ‘Vikas Pahli Gou’ (Development has gone mad),” said Pirshali.
Minister Maharaj refuted the allegations of negligence. “A probe under a senior official of PWD has been ordered to examine the cause of the collapse of the bridge. Based on the probe report, strict action will be taken against those responsible for it. The government is taking all necessary steps to repair the bridges in the state.”